Adorable sun bear cub makes its debut in UK-first at Chester Zoo

LUCKY animal lovers have been given a tantalising glimpse of Britain’s first sun bear cub making her public debut. These adorable scenes show the youngster being taught the “bear necessities” of life by her mother Milli at Chester Zoo.

For the youngster, who has yet to be named, her start in life is far less traumatic than the ordeal her parents suffered from the evils of the illegal wildlife trade.

Both Milli and mate Toni were rescued after being stolen from the wild in Cambodia when they were cubs.

Having been saved and nurtured by conservationists, the bears have not only settled into their new home at Chester Zoo but also made history by producing the first sun bear cub ever to be born on British soil.

Twelve weeks after her birth, the cub has emerged from her den to take a few shaky steps before the watchful eyes of enthralled visitors to the popular attraction.

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The new cub has plenty of enthusiasm but, at just 12 weeks old, she’s still somewhat wobbly on her legs.

Tim Rowlands

Tim Rowlands, Curator of Mammals at Chester Zoo, described the scenes.

He said: “The new cub has plenty of enthusiasm but, at just 12 weeks old, she’s still somewhat wobbly on her legs.

"She’ll soon find her feet though and it won’t be long until mum Milli really has her paws full.

“Her little one will quickly gain in confidence; become more and more excitable and look to explore.

"That’s when her parenting skills will be given a new test.

"We’re sure she’ll come through it with flying colours though – she’s proving to be a great mum so far.”

Sun bears are classed as vulnerable on the Red List of Endangered Species (Image: CHESTER ZOO)

The sun bear's alternative name is honey bear (Image: CHESTER ZOO)

Sun bears are not only the world’s smallest of eight bear species but are also one of the most threatened.

They are classed as Vulnerable on the Red List of Endangered Species and face a torrid future as their forest haunts make way for palm oil plantations and poachers hunt them down for their body parts, said to have unfounded medicinal properties.

Sun bears get their name from the dazzling orange crescent markings across the chest, which legend states is a replica of the rising or setting sun.

Their alternative name is the honey bear, courtesy of their habit of raiding bee nests.